Description

The growing gap between biological and environmental evolution presents a unique opportunity for exploring the human brain, its strengths, and vulnerabilities in an interactive and stimulating way. To really understand substance use disorders (and use that understanding to increase resiliency) we must first understand the brain, especially the evolutionary constraints that have shaped its fundamental structures and functions. This presentation has been developed and repeatedly tested with different audiences by the presenter as a friendly yet rigorous science-based universal education and prevention tool. The presentation builds on the growing neuroscientific understanding of human behavior to explain the intrinsic vulnerabilities that emerge from the interaction between biological and environmental factors and the impact that drugs of abuse have on brain circuitry and behavior.    

Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, participants will:

• Describe basic brain structures and functions shaped by biological and evolutionary processes.

• Explain how interactions between biological and environmental factors create vulnerabilities related to substance use disorders.

• Describe the impact of drugs of abuse on brain circuitry and behavior.

• Explain how understanding brain function and vulnerability can support prevention efforts and resiliency.

Presented by:

Ruben Baler, Ph.D.

Dr. Ruben Baler joined the Science Policy Branch in NIDA’s Office of Science Policy and Communications in October 2004 as a Health Science Administrator. His early publications focused on gene promoter architecture and gene expression in the brain’s clock. At NIDA, he writes and lectures about the neurobiology of drug abuse and addiction for a range of audiences. Dr. Baler has gathered critical insight from diverse disciplines, which he combines to advance NIDA’s scientific mission as it intersects with cellular and molecular biology, genetics, immunology, bioinformatics, neuroscience, and neuroethics. Dr. Baler’s many contributions to other dissemination efforts include scientific writing (English and Spanish), teaching, public speaking to lay audiences, and fielding interview requests for a variety of print, radio, and broadcast media outlets. Prior to coming to NIDA, Dr. Baler worked at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he conducted basic research on the molecular basis of circadian gene expression in vertebrates. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from the University of Miami in 1993 and completed his postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, specializing in Molecular Chronobiology.

Continuing Education Units:

1 CEU

Certification Board Information

This training is approved for continuing education units by the boards listed here. Additional specifications can be found below.

NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals)

This course has been approved by CASAT, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for the below # of CEUs. NAADAC Provider #98165. CASAT is responsible for all aspects of its programming.

CEUs: 1

Skills Groups

This course applies to the following Client Skill Groups as defined by NAADAC:

• Clinical Assessment

• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Development

• Pharmacology and Physiology

NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)

CASAT has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6492. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CASAT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. (Continuing education hours and CEU's are synonymous for purposes of issuing CEU's from CASAT Learning)

Qualifies for NBCC Credit: No

NCB (Nevada Certification Board)

This course is NOT approved by the Nevada Certification Board

Presentation materials are not for reproduction or distribution without specific written authorization. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of CASAT.

Details